Designing the ideal student, faculty and patient experience for a new school of dentistry

University of Utah

School of Dentistry

Salt Lake City, Utah

The new Ray and Tye Noorda Oral Health Sciences Building establishes a new School of Dentistry for the University of Utah and provides an educational paradigm for the campus by uniting health sciences and dental programs. As the dental education architect, Kahler Slater teamed with MHTN Architects to program, plan and design the educational and clinical settings which focus on creating the ideal dental student and patient care experience.

Due to the location on the University's campus, the Oral Health Sciences Building allows for integration and collaboration with other health sciences programs, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary care. By establishing a home for the dental school, it became an important partner with its other clinical, research and training programs in nursing, pharmacy, health and medicine. The building contains operatories in public dental clinics, clinic support labs and spaces, lecture halls and conference/seminar rooms, faculty offices, research labs and general building support spaces. Although initially planned for 50 students per year, it has capacity for program growth to 60 students per year in order to allow the School to easily adjust for future growth.

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Graphics were incorporated to aid in patient wayfinding. The crimson-colored glass enhances the University’s brand and creates visual interest within the open clinical areas.

Soft and flexible seating solutions were selected to provide students with options.

This new dental school helps move our health sciences programs to the next level.”

Vivian S. Lee, M.D., Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, University of Utah